Livewell Farm is a 40 acre property situated in the beautiful rolling hills fifty kilometres west of Brisbane. We wanted to create a space where our family and others could experience the wonder of nature and learn to appreciate and be grateful for its bounty and beauty.

Our farm produces many things and we embrace biodiversity. We enjoy beautiful tasty pork from our rare breed Berkshire pigs and beef from our miniature Zebu cattle. Whilst, what was the front yard of the old farm has been transformed into a permaculture inspired vegetable garden with vegetable mandalas and a Chicken dome, interspersed with fruit trees.

Please enjoy reading our entries, we hope that one day we will see some of you at the farm in person – or at least drop us a line by e-mail.




21 February 2011

Well you may not see a pig fly - but see these swim!

Over 37 degrees here today on the farm and our two very friendly 'Large Black' pigs knew exactly the best place to be.















Storm clouds gather over the Farm

Well after three days of temperatures in the high 30's and overnight temps' that didn't drop below 24 the storm clouds finally started to gather. The photo was taken of the second storm front that approached us around 4:14pm and the temperature had already dropped to around 25 degrees.




















Mother nature always continues to impress.

11 February 2011

From This, to This, to This

Remember this back in November of last year.















Well three months have passed since then and in that time we have had flooding rain along with 35 degree days but the sweet potato patch has thrived and now look how it looks as we are just start to get our first ones fresh out of the ground.
















Our first simple dish we made was a filo pastry tart with sweet potato, caramelised onion and sorrel with a Parmesan and egg base, all served with boiled potatoes and butter.






Oh the simple pleasures.





Livewell Feelwell Eatwell

02 February 2011

Johnny the pirate

I couldn't help myself.... His name had to be Johnny. The most handsome pirate on the big sea.
Complete with eye-patch, this young charmer is ready join ranks with his captain - Isaac. I am able to make other pirate's and have found a few different great fabrics. Just contact me if you are interested.
He has already worked his way into Gabriella's heart. I do hope she doesn't run away with him!







31 January 2011

End of January 2011

Time has really flown along this year.

Brian has been very busy slashing and raking the hay ready to bale before the next lot of rain comes. I love seeing the hay shed full but I get tired just thinking about how much energy it takes to get it there!! I am going to plead with him to make the bales just a little little so I don't get a hernia trying to throw them on the stack.




I have been expending a lot of energy the last couple of days but of the creative kind, not the physical. I finally completed Gabriella the ballerina. I love all of the toys I make but this one is really special. I know she is going to make some little girl very, very happy.








She is quiet but fun. Tries really hard in everything she does and dances her way through life. This is Gabrielle the ballerina.

25 January 2011

Jack Be Nimble

Sorry it has been so long since the last blog.
As you all know a lot has been happening in Queensland and especially our 'neck of the woods'.
Livewell Farm has never seen so much rain. We registered 500mls on one day alone.
We are all safe and sound and our little farm has been a refuge for a few families needing showers, batteries charged, home-cooked meals, washing done etc. Our thoughts are constantly with those that have suffered loss.

'Jack be Nimble' evolved over the flood period. At first he was going to just have those cute red and white flannelette pyjamas but Brian came up with the night cap idea. Then of course he needed a little one to take to bed - so I was able to play around with a bunny idea I wanted to do for Easter.

And now introducing.......








This cute little bunny is Jack's bedtime friend. What do you think about these for Easter with an egg?







23 December 2010

Christmas around the corner and the rain keeps coming



The rain keeps falling here on the farm and last night we had another 25mm (1 inch). The ground is so wet already that it is just running straight off the ground; however life goes on and over the past 5 days we have had two new calves both little girls born to proud Mum's Nova and Lucy.


Nova and her girl
 
           
Lucy and her girl












The rain also keeps the pigs happy here is Fauna enjoying one of her many wallows, oh to be as happy as pig in mud, it is also doing wonders for our newly planted Zucchinis (Courgette) which have now started to produce a great crop of lovely fresh vegetables (watch out for our latest recipe blogs). 

Fauna relaxing in her mud bath











Rain does slow somethings down though as I am currently waiting for a break in the weather so that I can start cutting, raking and baling one of our lovely grassy hay fields, oh well they do say you can never keep a farmer happy.

Finally here is wishing all our readers and followers a very happy, safe  and festive Christmas from all of us at Livewell Farm


21 December 2010

Designer Living in the Country....

Poor Allyson has had to wait some time for this blind to be finished.
I got a little carried away making reindeer!

But as you can see it was worth the wait.  The fabric is designed and printed in Australia by Thea and Sami.  The picture does not do the colour justice.

I have another one to make for a bedroom in sage green.  Will have a short break over Christmas then back at my machine!!



19 December 2010

Rainy Weather Brings Elephants!!!!

This glorious rain has enabled me to get these elephants finished so they can be delivered before Christmas!
All my girls have fallen in love with them and will be sad to see them leave.





Mobah and Booboo have been lovingly created over the last 3 days.  There seems to be a lot of mother/daughter action here at the farm lately!!!
We had a little heifer born from our most beautiful cow Nova.

09 December 2010

Designer Dog!

Here is 'Piano Man'.  This cute dog designed by Hopskipjump has already left to start a new life in LA.  I wonder if he will arrive before Christmas?